The post of President, NUIG / Post an Uachtaráin, OÉG

The Governing Body of the National University of Ireland, Galway has proposed to revoke the statutory requirement "for the President of the University to have a proficiency in the Irish language".

A large number of colleagues in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies have given their support to an alternative proposal, namely, that the person appointed President of this University should have appropriate proficiency in Irish either on appointment or by a specified time thereafter.

This is an entirely positive, non-exclusionist proposal. It would mean that no one would be excluded from applying for the post of President on the grounds of not having proficiency in Irish, and that whoever was appointed would either have proficiency already or would acquire it by a specified time thereafter.

We are now writing to colleagues in the other Colleges of the University to canvas support for this proposal. If you agree with it, please sign this petition.

NUI Galway has unique statutory responsibilities in regard to the Irish language, and it receives significant funding to meet them.

Bilingualism is a real aspect of life in the West of Ireland: the University is adjacent to the largest Gaeltacht in the country, and Galway City achieved the status of Bilingual City in 2016.

Galway was named European Capital of Culture for 2020, with Language as one of its three major themes.

We believe that as Head and leading Spokesperson for this University, the President should have, or should acquire, proficiency in Irish as well as English.